Joe Iaboni realizes that any organization is only as strong as its members.
“If you come to this club, you give back, help the people in the community,” said the president of the Jamaica Rotary.
And for that, he and the other Rotary members recognized two “Unsung Heroes” on Wednesday, February 17 – Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Tonia N. Cimino, Managing Editor of The Courier Sun.
“He is a great friend of the community,” said Iaboni of de Blasio. “We have a lot of respect for him because he took his time to come here and be among us – to me that’s very impressive.”
“This is my first plaque in Queens,” joked de Blasio, who explained the role of the Public Advocate and answered members’ questions. “The passion and the energy of the members is extraordinary. This room, like the city, is made up of people of all ages and backgrounds working together for a purpose.”
“The Courier Sun – and I – remain committed to covering the community and the good work of the NYPD and the Jamaica Rotary,” said Cimino.
The Jamaica Rotary, which honors exemplary police officers each month, also hosted the 10,000th child to receive open-heart surgery through the Gift of Life Program late last year.
“He went back healthy and happy,” said Iaboni, members credit with bringing the club to “every man.”
The Rotary additionally donated dictionaries to a local school, horses to the mounted NYPD unit, and dogs to the canine unit.
